Time for a new EU approach to Turkey

Turkey and the EU have failed this year to open even one new chapter and their relations are moving around in circles, as you indicated in “Shifting attention to the Arab street” (6-12 October).

The EU and Turkey began striking agreements nearly 50 years ago. Honesty requires that they implement the agreements already signed, and then proceed along the path to membership that has already been outlined.

One way forward would be to ease Turkish citizens’ movement in Europe. The experience of states that later joined the EU is that the visa requirement was abolished early in negotiations. Turkey and the EU have signed the Ankara agreement (1963), then an additional protocol (1970), a customs union agreement (1995) and have opened accession negotiations (2005). Yet Turks’ movements remain highly restricted.

The history of Turkey shows that the Ottoman Empire, through its Millet community system, enshrined democratic values and protected minorities. Modern Turkey has followed this path, by implementing reforms that bolster democratic values such as gender equality.

Freedom of speech in Turkey is not optimal, but it should be stressed that some member states of the EU, such as Hungary, have passed laws that are not in accordance with European and international standards.

This is another indication of how deeply linked are the history and traditions of Turkey and the EU.

On Cyprus, the EU should recall that it granted membership to a divided country despite a nearly 30-year dispute. Instead of using the referendum of 2004 as a tool to pressure the Republic of Cyprus to accept the UN-sponsored Annan plan, the EU undervalued the issue and assented to the continued separation of the island.

Finally, Turkish membership of the EU would increase European influence in a region stretching from central Asia to the Middle East.

This is an even greater consideration now as, by adopting the Lisbon treaty, the EU is seeking to strengthen its foreign policy.

It is time for governments to reach final agreements. These would include a Turkish retreat from Cyprus, and would require Europe to realise that fears of Islam in Turkey and immigration from Turkey are unjustified.

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Europa

“Ottoman Empire, through its Millet community system, enshrined democratic values and protected minorities”

Is that a joke? The Ottomans used to kidnap the children of the Christians. Imagine that for your family and your children and how happy that makes you. Besides, how many Christian minorities are now left in Turkey?

Posted on 10/13/11 | 10:41 AM CET

Europa

“Ottoman Empire, through its Millet community system, enshrined democratic values and protected minorities”

Is that a joke? The Ottomans used to kidnap the children of the Christians. Imagine that for your family and your children and how happy that makes you. Besides, how many Christian minorities are now left in Turkey?

Europe needs Turkey, delaying tactics for the Turkish membership for the EU, have been counter productive. Turkey is in a position to contribute towards peace in the Middle East and for Global Justice, the sooner Turkey becomes EU member, would be productive for the peace and justice.

Europe needs Turkey, delaying tactics for the Turkish membership for the EU, have been counter productive. Turkey is in a position to contribute towards peace in the Middle East and for Global Justice, the sooner Turkey becomes EU member, would be productive for the peace and justice.